Reservist abstention of service threatens Israeli security, deterrence

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
16 Jul 2023 20:36

The Israeli Brigadier General said that incidents like the violation of the fence over the border with Lebanon could lead to the weakening of Israeli deterrence on the long run.

Demonstrators march with Israeli and US flags during a protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new government to overhaul the judicial system, outside of the US Embassy Branch Office in "Tel Aviv", occupied Palestine, on Thursday, July 13, 2023 (AP Photo)

Brigadier General Amir Avivi said that the decision of some reservists to abstain from service, in protest of the judicial overhaul, endangers the security of "Israel" and the unity of the IOF, Israeli news website Maariv reported.

Avivi attended to this issue during a radio interview, in which he addressed the anxiety among Israeli soldiers in regard to the recent incidents with Hezbollah on the Lebanese-Palestenian borders.

Avivi said that responsible officials should firmly address the attempts at damaging the border fence, noting that such incidents could weaken Israeli deterrence in the long run.

When the fence was violated in the West Bank, this was dealt with using fire, Avivi compared, warning that "Israel" must not show any inclination of deterrence deterioration.

"The moment we had compromised on the gas agreement, marks a moment of deterioration. Israel must be firmer across the border," Avivi added.

In regards to refraining from service, he said that the IOF must deal decisively with this matter.

"They [the reservists abstaining from service] should feel ashamed. They are endangering Israel's security and deterrence and threatening the unity of the Israeli army because of their political views," he added.

"Part of what we see on the Lebanese borders has to do with this matter. They are never ashamed. The army must act decisively, and whoever chooses to abstain from service must be subject to disciplinary measures and demobilization."

Yesterday, Israeli media reported 170 reservists in the occupation army's top special forces unit, Sayeret Matkal, announced in a letter that they would no longer show up for service.

"We are aware of the potential harm that could be caused by our cessation to volunteer for reserve duty in the unit, but where things currently stand we have no other course of action available to stop the destruction that the planned laws will cause to all of us," the letter read, as cited by the Israeli Channel 12.

According to the channel, the organizers want to have at least another 80 reservists sign the letter in the following days.

In the same context, Kan news reported that a number of reserve pilots, including senior officers, informed Israeli occupation Air Force Commander Tomer Bar on Friday that they would stop showing up for training starting next week in rejection of the judicial overhaul.

In addition, 106 reserve pilots in non-combat posts announced that they would stop showing up for service for the same reason, as per the news website.